Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Who knew that within the same week I would have a part 2 to this post. I was doing more phone screens at work and was leaving mostly messages with people. I was doing very well leaving very professional sounding messages until about 2:00. I was in the process of leaving a message when my phone rang, an email came in, people were talking in my office. I was closing my message and was about to hang up when I hear the words "love ya" coming out of my mouth. Yep - I told the guy I left a message for that I loved him. Luckily for me he was very kind and didn't mention it when he called back. I just cross my fingers that I never have to meet him face to face.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

This post will probably be removed if Lori sees this, so enjoy it while it lasts.
We were waiting in line for signatures and were trying to pass the time. This is the new face that Tausha taught Lori to make.

You scrunch your eyebrows and then smile. Enjoy the video.

These are also some other (not so flattering pics) of the evening. I think it makes us even...right?

"It looks like a prison photo" (5 points to the person who guesses the movie reference)

Thursday, January 20, 2011

In my job I have the privilege of calling lots of people to do some pre-screening for open positions. I have to admit that of all the things that scare me in life, making phone calls is one of my biggest fears. I don't mind talking to people on the phone, I love when people call me, but I greatly dislike when I have to make a phone call. Give me a text message, email, face to face, smoke signal or pigeon; I'd take anything over calling people. This does present a slight problem when I do have to call people for work, but I've learned something really great. When I just get over my fear and do what I have to do, I find that I actually like talking with people. I recently had a phone call that just cracked me up and I had to share.
I started my interview like I normally would (with question 1) and waited for the reply. The candidate I was speaking with gave her answer to my question and then promptly followed it up with "not like those 20-somethings". I laughed at that comment the first time. I asked question 2, she gave me her answer, and then said "more than those 20-somethings". I continued to laugh, actually, my laughter increased. I ask 20 questions on these calls, and I think I heard the phrase "20-something" about 20-something times.
For the record, I fall into that 20-something category, though not how she was meaning. It always cracks me up that people think I'm so much older than I really am. Thank you genetics for getting me out of, and in to, some interesting situations. If it weren't for you, this post wouldn't be valid.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Confidence in me.
Thank you Julie Andrews for singing this song that has recently become stuck in my head.
In a testimony meeting at church, I recently related that I learned two important truths over the course of 2010.
Important Truth 1 - Our Heavenly Father is completely in charge of our lives and only does things for us that allow us to grow and become better.
It is because of IT1 that I learned IT2...
Important Truth 2 - I can do hard things.
I am really good at making plans for my life. I'm also really good at changing them (or not following through; both have been know to happen). If you want to see how not in control of your life you are, make plans and try going it on your own. Inevitably, my plans fall through, my life is changed completely, I'm required to do hard things, and I triumph every time. Now before you think I've lost my head completely and believe that I somehow did this on my own, let me clarify something. I can do hard things, but I need help...lots of help. Heavenly Father knows this and always sends aid to my rescue no matter what the problem is. Between the actual "hard thing(s)" and the assistance I receive from Him, I am given strength and confidence that I can continue moving forward. What comfort, joy, and excitement that gives me for my future. No matter what happens I know IT1 and IT2 and with that knowledge, faith, and determination I move forward.
Life hasn't turned out anything like what I had anticipated. I had so many other plans for my life, but right now, in this moment, I have no doubt that I am exactly where the Lord wanted and needed me. I may not understand that fully but I know its true. I firmly believe that because of the situations I find myself in now, I am becoming exactly who I need to be, for myself, now and in the future; for my family and friends; for Him.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

I left work late today, as I have been doing for the past several weeks. A new job means new challenges and more often than not, not enough time in the average work day to complete it all. But I'm not complaining. Really, I'm not. I love what I do and I really even like staying late. I get more done in the afternoon in an hour or so after most people are gone than I do a couple of hours during standard operating hours. Anyway, I was driving home today in the dark and taking note of all the lights ahead of me for as far as I could see. It reminded me of ants marching to the colony.
As I started thinking of this, I began to see many comparisons between us and the ants. I mean, we're not ants out collecting food to return it to the colony, and hopefully we're not just mindlessly walking around, following the person in front of us (with the exception of driving a car...and perhaps standing in line for a good sale or an amazing sandwich), but for better or worse, we are in the crowd trying to make it back to the colony. This thought made me ask myself a question. If I am a part of the crowd, and if I have to follow behind someone, or even several people, am I selecting a good leaders? Who do I let lead me around. Do I follow behind because I know they're heading the same place I am, or am I just stuck in my space and mindlessly following.
Well, since that was a question for my own introspection, I won't actually give you the answer. Rest assured that I'm not mindless (most of the time), and since I have been thinking about this have found some areas in my own life where I will become the leader, not the follower. If something or someone isn't going to get me back where I want to go, why would I keep going??

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Just to check in for the New Year...life is completely AMAZING!!! We started out sick but are getting better. I am actually in my new position and have stopped officially training. I have been meeting all sorts of new people and it has been a lot of fun. I'm really discovery who I am, and what I want to be.
If I had to sum up what I learned in 2010 into two statements, it would be:
1 - Heavenly Father is completely in control of my life. If I make plans, He will more than likely change them, and I have learned to welcome that.
2 - It is because of truth #1 that I learned that I can do hard things.
Life is full of unexpected ups and downs, and if you hang on for the ride you will exceed your wildest expectations.
Bring on 2011!

Bucket List

1. Learn to make French croissants2. Ride in a hot air balloon3. Visit NYC4. Make all recipes in Josi Kilpack's Culinary Mystery Series5. Visit Mackinac Island, MI6. Read the standard works cover to cover7. Visit Pike Place Market in Washington state8. Learn to play the guitar9. Graduate from college with a degree10. Go deep sea fishing11. Walk 500 miles in one year12. Participate in a humanitarian service project13. See the Northern Lights14. Adopt a child(ren)15. Attend General Conference in person16. Drive in all 50 states17. Take a pottery class (or other craft)18. Learn how to can/preserve food19. Get something published20. Learn to play chess

21. Try standup paddleboarding

22. Take a completely spontaneous trip

23. Grow my hair long and donate it

24. Plan a menu for a restaurant...possibly open it.25. Marry my best friend26. Live in a big city

27. Have a food fight

28. Stay out all night star gazing29. Test drive a car I could never buy30. Be kissed in the rain31. Get a passport32. Attend a Brian Regan show33. Learn to change the oil on my car34. Eat no chocolate for 1 month35. Visit the Sacred Grove36. Ride a train long distance37. Wish on a shooting star38. Grow a small garden39. Attend a midnight movie premier40. Find a cure for my hiccups

41. Learn ASL

42. Go on a cruise43. See the Eiffel Tower44. Ride a motorcycle45. Spend the night on the beach46. Donate blood

47. Ride a segway

48. Take a dance class

49. Pet a shark or sting ray

50. Cut down a Christmas tree51. Own a baby grand piano52. Attend the filming of a TV show

53. Ride in a taxi cab

54. Eat at a DD&D featured restaurant

55. Run a 5k56. Ride a horse

*Bold items = complete

Followers

There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.-Nelson Mandela

The Lord knows who we really are, what we really think, what we really do, and who we really are becoming.-David A. Bednar